Dealer unplugged my dash cam for test drive!

Lots of paranoid owners too...

 

Pretty sure it's a public space, therefore the public has the right to record, but yes, we can agree to disagree.

https://definitions.uslegal.com/p/public-place/

 

Think of a dash cam and its ability to record audio as the same as a person wire tapping your phone conversations !!!!

Also again as I've pointed out a few times in this thread . there's a big difference in surveillance cameras / CCTV and Sousveilance / Dash cameras . A surveillance CCTV set only records video only where a Dashcam records video but also audio . Also a surveillance/CCTV installed system in a building Is required by law to inform people they're being recorded with signage . A Dashcam has no signage stating they're being recorded or audio capture


Again a Dashcam set up with functional audio capture is just like having your phone tapped without consent .


Look up Sousveilance on Google !!!!

 

This keeps coming back to the idea that the camera is there to monitor the tech. It's not, and generally I would say no one put's one in for that purpose, though I'm sure there are exceptions. It's there to monitor my property. And I don't have a camera pointed at the driver. Just front and back.

Consider this. You disconnect it and put it in your lot until a part arrives and someone hits it and leaves. Guess who will be held responsible?

 

Get a life? Are you good man? Upset?

 

Here's another thing to consider since we agree there are assholes out there. I take my car to get service and you disconnect my camera or put tape over the lens. You forget to reconnect or take the tape off. I take off and get in an accident. An asshole is going to blame you since they no longer have the proof they would of.

 

As I said earlier, my camera stays on and it will stay on anytime I drop my truck off for any service. It is not for the intent to record the tech, it is just the fact that my cam is hardwired and I do not power it down on a daily basis, so it is not something I would think about. I really wouldn't even think to go back and review the video unless something was damaged or out of place when I got my truck back.

 

So I witnessed an accident out of state and gave the cops the video. They asked what kind of cam I had as the wanted to get good quality cams.

 

We're not living in Russia or is this Russia. I'm sure when you run into a parking bollard at Costco you won't need to lawyer up

 

A lot of businesses have a no video recording policy. I think in case some yahoo wants to harass workers and post on Facebook. I imagine they disconnect dash cams for the same reason, in case some low life decides to make a big deal about nothing. If I were a mechanic a Tacoma isn’t a vehicle I would risk my job for by taking it on a joy ride. No harm in asking what their policy is though

 

In the first case where you disconnected my camera and then claimed a hit and run in your lot, sorry, my insurance company won't buy that. It wouldn't be me. I'd make the claim to my insurance and explain. They would want to know why you should not accept liability.

The second case is just something you probably don't want to deal with, and in the end would not be held responsible for, but an asshole would try to blame you and lawyers cost money.

 

Is a mechanical workspace "public"? Its not like you're free to walk into the bay and start chatting with the wrenchers whenever you please unrestricted. Its not a kiosk. Theres safety precautions, eye protection, loud noises, hazardous materials etc. You stay behind that yellow line for a reason so to speak. I'm going to say that type of area is not public.

 

If I can walk up to a yellow line or window like many dealers have today, it's a public space. But remember most of those signs you see in businesses say that 'video may be recorded'. That isn't a one way street.

 

They should of asked before unplugging. You also should of stated please don't unplug dashcam.

They have a right to decline service as well.

Probably not a huge deal because plenty of people have dashcams.

I just hate when they touch my air filters and try to top off my "fluids" after I specifically tell them not to.

 

Here's the the thing the camera works both ways. I bet you wouldn't fess up to having the camera if you knew you were in the wrong and caused an accident where you were facing significant civil liabilities. At the end of the day it's a Tacoma, not a Ferrari 250 GTO

 

It doesn't matter what you think you can do. If you sign the paperwork, they got you.

 

When I worked at a dealership I worked on plenty of customers cars with dash cams. Even installed quite a few. I always looked at is as I simply do my job and don’t have anything to hide so being “recorded” never really bothered me. Could there of been some embarrassing moments or something I did while being recorded that I may have regretted, had I of watched the recording? Probably, but whatever.

We did have 2 guys that were fired because of a dash cam. Not sure the full details as it was another store within our group. I guess they were on a test drive and was told some racist things were being said. Not sure if it was a direct comment towards the customer or maybe a general comment. The customer got in contact with the president of the group and he let the mechanics go. Not sure if a good attorney could of fought for the guys or not.


I can see both sides of the arguements. Nothing will change. I think a lot of people are just paranoid.

Also the op said he doesn’t like people messing with his truck. If that’s the case when why bring it to a shop for someone to work on it. I’ve had customers bitch about me having to move a seat when not only is moving it to drive it a safety concern, but also where it’s been required to perform the job/service they wanted performed. Some people are just ridiculous

 

Pretty sure there isn't anything in there that says they can disconnect or otherwise disable something I own. Hell they call you and tell you to come pick it up if they think an addon is causing a problem, they don't just disconnect it. I'll double check next time though.

 

I could be wrong, but from what i’ve noticed these days, all dealers and most decent sized shops have cameras somewhere. Dash cams are more commonplace than ever and disconnecting them just raises customers suspicions. Being recorded is almost unavoidable so don’t give customers reasons to complain, a goofy smile or a double-pistols gesture for their dash cam might even make them wanna post a good review on Yelp (if they even bother to check the footage, which I doubt) If you go for a test drive, assume there’s a camera on you even if you don’t see it. Never hold it in 2nd gear too long and do everything as if you’re being watched. Shit happens, if you screw something up, own up to it.....if the customer is unreasonable, a liar or just a fuckin prick, any good boss will see that, back you up, and a shop or dash cam video might even help the employee out. Unfortunately there’s always gonna be more people that complain, it’s human nature for some reason. I’m actually surprised more mechanics don’t request cameras on their individual bays to prove that they did: tighten that drain plug, torque those wheels, use a seat cover, etc.
Back in the 90’s when I started in the trade, most of my high school classmates were told they had to go to university if they wanted good money and respect and I think that’s part of the reason blue collar trades were dying. I also had buddies who were millrights and an electrician made way more money than me without investing tens of thousands in tools and yearly training. That didn’t help with auto tech enrollment numbers either. Lately i’ve heard that mechanics are becoming more in-demand because of an already short supply and a generation retiring. Hopefully there’s a big pay upswing and demand for good techs in the near future.

 

Yes there is. You sign over complying they have the rights to service your vehicle in any manor they deem necessary within law. Unplugging your dash cam is not against the law. Just like your USB, cig port lighter etc. They can deny they even touched it. How do you know it wasnt accidentally unplugged? You need to specifically mention for them not to unplug your cam otherwise, it's fair game. You gave them permission with your signature.